UCR Extension Instructor since: 2007

Also teaches at: Palm Springs Unified School District.

Achievements/awards: California, Arizona and Texas Association for GATE Conferences; Conference at the Capitol, Austin, Texas; UC Riverside GATE Conference, Rialto USD GATE Conference.

Noted for: Trainer and Consultant for J Taylor Education.

How did you get interested in your field? I have always been interested in gifted and high ability learners. Developing and sharing ideas on how to keep these students engaged, motivated, and challenged has always been an area of passion for me.

Who influenced you the most? John DeLandtscher and Margee Fuller, both had the amazing ability to make the strategies understandable and practical. Also, John Gould (owner of J. Taylor Education) and his mother Bette Gould, for their invaluable encouragement and guidance.

Who was your most memorable teacher? Way back in 4th grade, Mrs. Glenn, was the first teacher I had who made me feel smart, special, and capable of achieving.

What are you currently reading? I am working on a second Master's in English, so I've been spending the bulk of my reading time composition and literary theory and revisiting classic authors from James Joyce to Shakespeare.

Favorite thing about teaching at UCR Extension? Without a doubt, it's the students–working professionals, my colleagues, who are looking to better their knowledge base and instructional practices. They come from many different districts and teach across all grade levels and subject areas, and I learn a great deal.

What do your students say? They appreciate that I recognize that they are my colleagues and that our work in the classes is collaborative. They also frequently comment on how much they appreciate the material being practical and immediately applicable to their own classrooms.

UCR Extension Instructor since: 2007

Achievements/awards: Recently designed and delivered an intensive TEFL Certificate Program; ongoing teacher training project with non-native speakers in Myanmar.

Noted for: Extensive travel and overseas teaching experience.

How did you get interested in your field? While visiting friends in Mexico, I had the opportunity to teach a few English classes. I decided to pursue a career in the field.

Who influenced you the most? My mother, who has always supported me and encouraged my endeavors.

Who was your most memorable teacher? Aubrey Williams, Anthropology professor at the University of Maryland: a great storyteller who always allowed for individual time with his students.

What are you currently reading? Dostoevsky’s Poor Folk; Mishima’s Runaway Horses; Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Author’s Court.

Favorite thing about teaching at UCR Extension? My dedicated and passionate colleagues.

What do your students say? He is exacting, but likes to laugh.

UCR Extension Instructor since: 1994

Also teaches at: Calvary Chapel Bible College and Apple Valley High School.

Achievements/awards: Outstanding Instructor, UCR Extension, 1996.

How did you get interested in your field? Visiting America's national parks during summer vacations.

Who influenced you the most? My geology professors at UCLA, who opened my eyes to see how geological processes have shaped—and continue to shape—our remarkable planet, and who gave me a love for field geology.

Who was your most memorable teacher? A professor in graduate school who continually pushed me toward excellence in scientific research, but who also made science fun!

What are you currently reading? The Bible.

Favorite thing about teaching at UCR Extension? Meeting a wide variety of students, from foreign exchange students to working professionals to senior citizens, all united in a desire to learn more about this incredible place we call California.

What do your students say? "Wow! His depth of knowledge far exceeded anything the students asked him. He is very personable and makes a complex subject easy to understand. He made Death Valley come alive and the course was awesome. Gary was the best instructor I have experienced in more than 25 years!"

UCR Extension Instructor since: 1997

Also teaches at: University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

Achievements/awards: I authored a book named ‘Upanishad-darshan’ meaning ‘Philosophy of Upanishads’. It is based on the ancient authentic texts of Indian philosophy known as ‘Upanishads.’

How did you get interested in your field? My study of the Sanskrit language got me interested in ancient India’s rich store of philosophical and other literature.

Who influenced you the most? The sages from different ages have influenced me in various ways more than any particular individual.

Who was your most memorable teacher? My professor-guide at the time of writing my Ph.D. thesis. He has also worked in top positions in universities in India.

Favorite thing about teaching at UCR Extension? UCR Extension has a very congenial atmosphere. I find that students who come to study here are keen learners—sometimes even more so than students in degree programs.

What do your students say? “Dr. Tandon is a wonderful, knowledgeable instructor who is passionate about her topic. As an online instructor, she was always up-to-date on the progress of the class, and was prompt in answering questions and helping us navigate the course. As a classroom instructor, I thoroughly enjoyed her lectures and energy. I would love to take more of her classes!”

UCR Extension Instructor since: 2008

Also teaches at: UCLA Extension

Achievements/awards: Interior Design Teacher of the Year at FIDM.

Noted for: Fairness, understanding, objectiveness, willingness to listen and understand, hoping for the best.

How did you get interested in your field? I have been interested since childhood. Through travel, study and the joy of making peoples' lives better.

Who influenced you the most? Many school teachers and a very loving Grandmother.

Who was your most memorable teacher? Joe D'Urso, my design instructor at Pratt Institute.

What are you currently reading? Not enough time to read everything I would like! The Biography of Andrew Jackson and currently Labyrinth by Kate Mosse.

Favorite thing about teaching at UCR Extension? The students, their enthusiasm and interest to learn; and a very easy and wonderful administrative staff.

What do your students say? Hopefully, my students are saying that I am a real person, a real designer and can impart that wisdom to them.

UCR Extension Instructor since: 2005

Courses taught/currently teaching: Marketing Principles, Consumer Behavior, Strategic Applications, Market Research, Managing Workplace Differences, Managing Conflict in the Workplace, Global Marketing, various lectures and online instruction.

Also teaches at: University of Redlands.

Noted for: 30 years of line management in fortune 100 business environment.

How did you get interested in your field? As a corporate executive in banking, consumer products and entertainment, I was called on as a subject matter expert in solutions sales, customer service, office communications, effective consumer response, continuous process improvement and other topics.

Who influenced you the most? Dr. Edward Deming, Ken Blanchard and Peter Drucker.

Who was your most memorable teacher? Dr. Danny Scarborough, San Diego State University.

What are you currently reading? Coaching Counseling and Mentoring by Florence Stone, and The Bible.

Favorite thing about teaching at UCR Extension? Interacting and learning from the international students.

What do your students say? That I look like (older/heavier) Will Smith! They also say, "I enjoy Mr. Doster's presentations. He is very organized, shares valuable information, and takes time to answer all of our questions."

UCR Extension Instructor since: 2005

Also teaches at: National University, Project Specialist at RIMS CTAP.

Achievements/awards: 2011 Moreno Valley Teacher of the Year, Mentor Teacher 1990-1994 and 1996-2000.

How did you get interested in your field? I started working with Macs in mid-late 80's. In 2000, I became involved in the Intel Teach to the Future program, where I basically trained teachers on using Microsoft Office. In 2005, I started teaching at UCR Extension, first in their Temecula center, and later at the UCR campus.

Who influenced you the most? My brother was an early convert to the technology world, and he guided me in the early days. My wife got me into teaching.

Who was your most memorable teacher? In elementary school, it was my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Finer. In college, it was Dr. Shupe at Cal Poly Pomona.

What are you currently reading? I am reading Influencers.

Favorite thing about teaching at UCR Extension? Great students and staff. It's particularly rewarding working with teachers who are a bit apprehensive, but become enthusiastic users of technology.

What do your students say? I think my students would say I am knowledgeable, fair and patient.

UCR Extension Instructor since: 2008

Also teaches at: Moreno Valley Unified School District.

Achievements/awards: Completing dissertation for a Ph.D. in Diversity, Equity and Social Justice.

Noted for: Looking at every student/colleague as an individual. Following the words of culturally responsive teaching, trying to "walk the talk" every day!

How did you get interested in your field? I experienced "otherness" at a Spanish Immersion School in Cuernavaca, and I realized how second-language learners feel. I promised myself that my future students would never experience "otherness."

Who influenced you the most? My parents for allowing me to be who I am; and Paulo Freire for helping me to live my convictions.

Who was your most memorable teacher? My fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Nystrom, who used humor and engaged us in learning by doing!

What are you currently reading? The Help by Kathryn Stockett; and Teaching Outside the Box - How to Grab Your Students by Their Brains by LouAnne Johnson.

Favorite thing about teaching at UCR Extension? I am allowed to "practice what I preach." It is exciting to see teachers look at their students through culturally responsive eyes!

What do your students say? They appreciate the discussions that make them think about issues that often go unmentioned.

UCR Extension Instructor since: 1996

How did you get interested in your field? I was always surrounded by a multicultural group of friends and classmates, and I took that interest in culture and applied it towards a major in Japanese Language and Culture at UCLA. In addition, I enjoy traveling, so without having to leave my own country, the other countries could come to me at UCR Extension, where I earned my certificate in TESOL.

Who influenced you the most? Two teachers from different times of my life. My high school AP* writing teacher, Mr. Cox, who was very influential in developing my interest in writing, and made learning fun and exciting. My master teacher in my teacher credentialing program, Dr. McFarland. She inspired me with her savvy techniques and enthusiasm for instruction. She taught in such an effortless and almost "magical" way where I would think after a lesson, "How did she do that?"

What are you currently reading? I just finished reading The Happiness Project written by Gretchen Rubin.

Favorite thing about teaching at UCR Extension? Working with awesome colleagues under a great administration for an array of amazing students from around the world.

What do your students say? They like my smile, the way I speak clearly in class, and the kindness that I show towards them.

UCR Extension Instructor since: 2004

Also teaches at: Allied American University, Kaplan, and Regent Universities.

Achievements/awards: Ph.D.,Criminal Justice and M.S., Counseling Psychology.

Noted for: Research in the area rehabilitation of domestic violence offenders.

How did you get interested in your field? During my internship in counseling psychology, I came in contact with many victims and offenders in the area of domestic violence, and became interested in this specialty.

Who influenced you the most? Dr. H. Bruce Stokes, who always refused to let me accept the status quo.

Who was your most memorable teacher? Dr. Gary Collins. I rarely make a decision in the classroom without wondering first what he would do.

What are you currently reading? How to Live: A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at an Answer, by Sarah Bakewell.

What do you like about teaching online? It is an opportunity to communicate one-on-one with all of the students. You rarely have this chance in an on-the-ground classroom.

What do your students say? When I taught a live seminar at UCR Extension, one of my online students signed up just so she could meet me. That was amazing!